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Mukherjee sworn in as Indian president

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NEW DELHI: Former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee called for action to tackle India's dire poverty as he was sworn in as president on Wednesday.

Mukherjee, 76, arrived for the swearing-in ceremony in a regal cavalcade escorted by horse-mounted bodyguards and was greeted by a military guard of honour lining the route leading to the parliament building in New Delhi.

After receiving a 21-gun salute, Mukherjee addressed lawmakers and spoke of erasing poverty from the 'dictionary of modern India'.

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday felicitated Pranab Mukherjee for being elected the new president of Republic of India.

In a message sent to the new president, he said, "On behalf of the people of Pakistan and my own behalf, I wish to convey to you our heartfelt felicitations on your assumption of the office of the president of the Republic of India. It is imperative that our two countries endeavour to promote stability, peace and prosperity in our region and seek peaceful resolution of all issues through dialogue."

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